Star Wars The Force Awakens : The Skirt

I have made a gift for a Star Wars fan!
The lines and style of this skirt reminded me of Boba Fett's helmet so I knew I couldn't go wrong with Vogue pattern 9132.

Some changes I made

It is a very short skirt, so I added two centimetres to make it 50cm in length, but even then it was still a bit short so I used bias tape along the hem and just turned it up 1/4" instead.

I didn't use the recommended fabric, which is "Gaberdine, crepe, linen, lightweight woolens" I used cotton instead.  I really like that it looks a bit like a check pattern from a distance and you only see the logo close up.  The Star Wars fabric is a fully licensed product from Camelot Fabrics

The skirt pattern is for a fully lined skirt.  But I couldn't believe there was no separate lining pattern piece!  The instructions ask you to use the same pieces for the skirt!  Can you imagine doing four more of those curves in lining fabric?!  No thank you!  So I made the skirt pieces up, front and back(including the zip), then before sewing the side seams I just lay the skirt front on top of my lining fabric and cut out a piece exactly the same size.  I did the same with the back. It fit perfectly when I sewed the lining to the skirt at the waist band.

Some tips if you are going to sew this pattern

Sewing these curves was a bit of a pain, I had to undo all four of them and try again.  If you make this skirt I would recommend after stay-stitching and then snipping the curve on the T-shaped or L-shaped fabric piece, have it underneath when stitching together.  Stitch slowly, hold each fabric and slowly bring them together under the foot.

Not perfect

Also, the little triangle pieces that are supposed to line up - they didn't.  Whichever end I started at, the first two little triangles matched up but after sewing the curve the second ones never did.  But by the time I stitched all the way to the ends of the fabric it matched up just fine at the ends.

I also thought it was quite an exaggerated A-line, so once I got my friends waist and hip measurements I just drew a straight line down to the hem instead of sticking to the wider hem line for her size.  I think I brought it in 3 sizes at the hem.

I do hope she wears it to the premiere of the new movie, as she has reserved tickets for a VIP theatre on the night of it's release!  Fingers crossed it fits!

Glow in the Dark Star Wars Pyjamas

Today I got stuck in and completed a pair of pyjama pants in one day!

front

I didn't do the best job at pattern matching on the front seam, but I am happy with the overall balance of the print, the "Star Wars" text is running horizontally to the floor and is spread out fairly well across the width of the front.

back

And the best bit about this pattern is that there are pockets on both sides!  Very useful for hankies and mobile phones.  The pattern I used is Butterick 5572.

Every single seam has been neatly finished on my overlocker - first time I've really used it for anything important and I must say that it is a very satisfying feeling to see all those neat edges!

Sorry I haven't got any glow in the dark photos for you.  It was really tricky to take any photos in the dark without the flash going off.  The only parts on the fabric that glow in the dark are the crossed over light sabers.

My dear husband kindly modeled these for me but they are actually getting posted off to Australia as a gift.  I am positive they will be well loved, but fingers crossed that they fit!!


Linking up to Katy's Finish-Along.  This is one of my sewing goals for Spring (Q2) and it's completed!  Yay!

Well Helloooo Garment Sewing!

It has been quite a while since I have done any garment sewing, so it's time I got back into it!  First up will be two pieces: underwear slip and nightwear pants.  Useful, practical and won't take up much room!  I have been collecting all the lingerie bits and pieces to create Gertie's new pattern Butterick 6031 and I finally have it altogether.  Gertie is even going to start a sew-along on the 1st April which I am planning to join in with.

I also bought some GLOW IN THE DARK Star Wars fabric to make some pyjama pants for a friend who lives far away in Australia.  I know he will love them, I'm just waiting on his wife to give me the measurements of one of his favourite PJ pants so that I can best match the finished garment size.

The crossed light-sabers glow in the dark

Personal Reflection

Whilst enjoying my garment-making hiatus, I have done a little reflective thinking about why I didn't want to make garments.  This has been for a number of reasons:
1.  I don't want to make clothes for my current figure.  I am a bit ashamed that I let myself put on so much excess weight over the winter.  I don't want to be photographed either.
2. I tidied out my wardrobe and realised I have FAR TOO MUCH clothing already.  The very last thing I need in my life is more clothing!  The added trouble is that I don't ever throw clothes away.  If it is too summery to wear, it gets put into the spare room closet.  If it is too small or too big, it gets put into a size-labelled container and hidden in the loft/attic until I return to that size in the future.
3.  My sewing room -which is also the spare room- is full of my Mister's things.  We are still awaiting a joiner to create storage space in his workroom and so in the meantime my room is a storage room, which makes anything larger than a bit of patchwork piecing difficult to work with in there.
4.  I am LOVING doing patchwork at the moment.  I bought some beautifully coloured prints and am really enjoying making them into something wonderful for my sister.  I also bought some sweet little girly fabric that I am enjoying cutting up to it's best advantage to create a patchwork quilt with too - I have no intended recipient for this quilt, but it is bringing me much joy creating it.  (I'll share some pictures of these in my next post)